Freelance journalist and copywriter

Portfolio

From cover stories to business features and travel jaunts, I’ve spent the last decade honing my craft as a freelance journalist and copywriter.

My career began at Woman’s Day where I learned how to serve hot coffee to demanding journos. I went on to cut my teeth as a staff writer at ACP Youth Titles, where I was swiftly promoted to features editor.

I moved on to become a section editor at Virgin Blue Voyeur where I was responsible for the City Guides travel section and was soon promoted to features writer where I happily traversed the globe on a glamorous cavalcade of travel writing assignments.

Then came a promotion to features editor during which time I interviewed the bold and the beautiful, while writing a range of features that covered everything from trends in crowdfunding to the rebirth of the electric car.

I eventually handed in my wings for a crack at the business world where I took up the reigns as launch editor of SP magazine and designed and implemented the editorial process from scratch.

Now, I’m at your service as a freelance journalist and copywriter, specialising in web content, blog articles and magazine feature writing.

“Shane is the most reliable freelancer I’ve ever used. Versatility is one of his strengths; he’s a one-stop shop whether your audience is 5 or 55.”

Michael Downs, managing director, Nuclear Media

“Our accolades have been largely due to the very high standard of content – none of this would have been achievable without Shane and his intelligence, insights and work ethic.”

Brad Monaghan, publisher, FutureGen Media

“Shane is brilliantly reliable and you can count on him to get any job done quickly and meticulously. He is an incredibly valuable asset.”

Santi Pintado, editor-in-chief, Maxim Australia

“I recommend Shane unreservedly. He consistently produces sharp copy and can adapt his voice to suit any purpose. He’s a pleasure to deal with.”

Amber McCulloch, former editor, OPTUS magazine

LATEST WORK

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Mr Mount PanoramaSix-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes had been a perennial crowd favourite throughout a career that has spanned more than two decades. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Rohde & Schwarz: Building an Asia-Pacific hub in SingaporeThe journey of Rohde & Schwarz in Singapore from a humble support centre with six staff to a regional hub that today employs around 450 people is a story of success in a market full of potential. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Thought leadership and the role of white papers (part 1)Your customers – existing and potential – want to know that you have your finger on the pulse of your industry. They want to be reassured that you have an eye on the horizon and can offer solutions to problems they face now and in the future. This is thought leadership. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Waste NotFollowing a recent hit TV program that shone the spotlight on plastic waste, the pressure is on restaurant and cafe businesses to provide truly eco-friendly packaging. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Success story: From burn-out to making a differenceDr David Pilgrim went from burn-out to partner in a dental practice, thanks to his passion for quality care and a little help from BOQ Specialist. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Worrying about getting old? You really shouldn’tHappiness is a powerful motivator. It can influence who we choose to spend time with and drive important life decisions. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 5 time management secrets all successful sales managers knowFive essential time management skills every sales manager can use to boost productivity and put more runs on the board. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Social Media DetoxMore Australians are getting sucked into the social media wormhole. But social media detox is less about abstinence and more about making healthy long-term choices. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: The Big Five Cybersecurity Risks Facing Smart CitiesToday’s smart cities may be underprepared for a range of cybersecurity risks, and must address key vulnerabilities before hackers exploit them. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 5 ways workplace diversity will benefit your businessEmploying a culturally diverse workforce comes with a range of important business benefits. Here are five of them. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Travel insurance for solo backpackersReady to backpack around the world? Here’s what you need to know about travel insurance before you leave home. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The Next Step for Tele-Dentistry?Dental Monitoring, a new smartphone-based tooth-correction-monitoring system, promises to transform how orthodontists treat their patients. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: A backpacker’s guide to spending money overseasLeaving Australian shores to see the world is a rite of passage, but before you begin your travels, there are a few things you need to sort out. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 10 Futuristic Health-Tech Jobs That May be Closer Than You ThinkFrom growing organs and robotic surgeons to virtual reality (VR) recovery, technology is changing the healthcare industry and opening up new roles for health-tech enthusiasts. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The Wireless ZooAn innovative Australian start-up is promising to revolutionise the global veterinary industry with a new product that wirelessly monitors the vital signs of animals.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: What is Omnichannel Marketing?While multichannel marketing engages consumers across a range of independent marketing channels, omnichannel marketing understands that consumers use multiple channels simultaneously throughout the customer life cycle. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Lenders Mortgage Insurance: Will I need to pay it?You will likely be charged Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) if you need to borrow more than 80 per cent of the purchase price of your new home.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Why Some Companies Are Turning to Black-hat Hackers for CybersecuritySome of today’s top companies including Starbucks, Uber and Google are turning to reformed black-hat hackers to fill their cybersecurity skills shortage, with the rapidly evolving industry providing new – and legal – pathways for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: A World of OpportunityDr Niall Jefferson’s medical career has taken him to Ireland, Japan and the US. But all roads would eventually lead to Newcastle as he opens the doors of his new ear, nose and throat practice. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Dark Social and What it Means for SMBsYou may be surprised to learn that the majority of social sharing these days happens outside the big social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Follow this three-step guide to put the power of dark social to work for your small and medium-sized business. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: You Won’t Believe How These 5 People Ended Up in HospitalIn 2015, 10.2 million people were hospitalised in Australia, 2.5 million underwent surgery and 7.4 million went to public hospital emergency departments. However, of the cases were anything but ordinary.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Megacities as a Gateway to Business GrowthThe rise of the megacity – a city with a population greater than 10 million people – is a decidedly 21st century phenomenon. Not only are megacities redrawing the world’s economic borders, they also present a lucrative opportunity to grow your business.Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The DIY Wedding RevolutionAs the cost of weddings skyrocket, more couples are choosing to take a do-it-yourself approach to their big day. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Digital Trends SMBs Must Take Note of in 2017A brave new world of digital innovation will change the way you do business in 2017.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: Crisis Management: 7 Steps to Contain a Cyber AttackSwift, decisive action is the key to containing a cyber attack. Find out how to limit the damage it can cause with this seven-step plan. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Top 10 Travel Trends in 2017From bleisure travel to Pinspiration and the world’s first robot hotel, here’s what travel will look like in 2017. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 7 Effective Ways to Build Credit for Your SMBBusiness growth is at the top of the priority list for most small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners. But managing that growth can be the greatest challenge you’ll face.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: How to Plan for the Small Business Loan You WantConvincing the banks that your business is firmly on the pathway to success requires a little work from you. Follow these six steps to ace the application process and secure your funds. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: The Importance of Attending Business MeetupsWhile advancing digital technology has moved business communication online in recent years, there’s still an important place for face-to-face communication in the business world. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Top 5 Australian Open MomentsAs the Australian Open gets set to take over Melbourne’s Rob Laver Arena, we take a stroll down memory lane to reveal our top five Australian Open moments. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Southern HighWhether you’re looking for fine food and wine, antique wares or wide-open wilderness, the Southern Highlands is a rich rural playground. Here are three drives to get you acquainted with this pretty and relaxing region. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 8 Ways to Fund Your Startup in SingaporeSilicon Valley may be the spiritual home of the tech startup, but entrepreneurial fever has spread around the world as advancing technology and new funding models continue to empower businesspeople who are keen to turn their big idea into reality. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 5 Tips to Improve Internal CommunicationAs increasing connectivity between colleagues breaks down traditional work siloes, collaboration has become a catch-cry for business success. Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Sydney sees the lightVivid Sydney returns to light up the harbour city in a festival of light, music and ideas.Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: What makes a great IT leader?In a climate of rapidly advancing technology, effective IT leaders must foster innovation to provide successful solutions across their organizations. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: The rise of drone technology in real estateAs drone technology takes off in Australia’s real estate market, you need to understand the services on offer. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: 7 ways to boost the energy efficiency of your practiceWhether you want to do your bit of the environment, or just save money on your energy bills, there are many things you can do right now to improve the energy efficiency of your practice. Read more.

BLOG ARTICLE: How to harness the power of social media advertisingYour guide to understanding social media advertising.Read more.

MAGAZINE FEATURE: You’re the voiceAs the digital revolution rolls on, blogging continues to accelerate as a real business you can run from your living room. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: Handle with Care: 5 ways to care for custom timber furnitureFour Handkrafted master craftspeople reveal five ways to care for your custom timber furniture to ensure it stands the test of time.Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: How to unlock the selling power of ‘potential’In the language of real estate sales, the word ‘potential’ is too often used as a smoke screen for a property that’s past its prime.Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Christchurch risingAs the city continues its long journey to regeneration, a few locals are pumping life back into its streets. Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Wishing on a starBrands increasingly rely on celebrities to spruik their products, often with great success. However, in an era when stars themselves are brands, are we becoming immune to famous faces? Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The retail revolutionTo survive economic conditions and the online shopping onslaught, bricks-and-mortar retailers must rethink the way they do business in today’s digital world. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: How to write killer headlines that grab attentionThree simple rules for writing blog headlines that attract more traffic to your blog. Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The new rockstarsAs the spotlight fades on the current generation of overexposed, underachieving celebrities, it is the geek who shall inherit the earth – and the headlines. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: 3 things realtors can learn from big-brand marketingNespresso, Louis Vuitton and Nike all make a connection beyond the products they sell. Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The new explorersWhile it may seem every road has been mapped and every waterway chartered, some adventurers are still uncovering places unknown. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: The remarketing revolutionRemarketing can allow businesses to reverse the fallout from lost sales while significantly increasing retention rates. Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: The new currency of successIn the competitive global business climate, innovation is the new yardstick of success. Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: A life less ordinaryRelinquishing the relative security of a salaried job to follow your passion is not for the faint-hearted. Meet four corporate climbers who took the leap and are now reaping the rewards. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: How to write media releases that get attentionWant to get your product or brand in the media spotlight? Follow this six-step guide to writing effective press releases.Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: No reservationsThe four Melbourne boys behind Hugos Group are proving that too many chefs don’t spoil the broth. Read more

BLOG ARTICLE: The power of customer segmentationRelevant, targeted messages might be the new cornerstone for business success, but how do you consistently reach customers who count? Read more

MAGAZINE FEATURE: Man and machineHow bionic engineering is changing the way we live. Read more